Chris' POV Once the three of us had had breakfast in Martha's room, we took our leave with Ivy promising to come see her soon again to see my baby pictures. I briefly wondered how she would feel when she realised said baby pictures were actually more than a hundred years old and in black and white. Probably go hysterical again. I smirked to myself at that, Martha had brought it upon herself so it was her headache now. "Where are we going?" Ivy asked, even as she followed behind me.  I slowed down a little to match her pace before replying. "To the training grounds behind the palace." "Training grounds?" she parroted.  "I believe that's what I just said." "I heard you just fine the first time," I knew without having to look at her that she was rolling her eyes at me. It made my lips twitch.  

 Unknown Third Person POV "The woman is getting pretty close to the Alpha," the man in the black cloak commented.  His companion nodded. "Yes, she is. But no matter. When she sees who is stronger, she will part with us." The man adjusted his cloak around him as he took a seat next to his companion. "And what if she doesn't?" His companion glared at him. "She will. She has to." The man stared at his companion for a few moments, not saying anything. The possibility that the woman wouldn't agree with them and try to support the Alpha was always there but his companion was not ready to entertain the thought, let alone find a solution if a situation such as that should arise.  The woman the Alpha associated himself with was very powerful. It would not bode well for them if she chose him when the time came.  And sinc

 Chris' POV Guilt gnawed away at me as I shushed Ivy. She still didn't know that her father's death wasn't just a death. It had, in fact, been a murder. And it was the members of this pack itself who had killed her. And that I was the one responsible for her father's death, albeit indirectly. I wanted to tell her the truth, I always tried to be honest with her. But this news could have catastrophic consequences. She could actually leave me for this. Ans I didn't want to loose her. Not now, not ever.  I'd waited way too long for a mate and I wasn't ready to part with her so soon, or ever for that matter.  So, I chose to stay silent, gently rocking her back and forth instead.  Our relationship had only just started and I didn't want to jeopardize it right now. I'd be the first to admit that I was selfish when it came to her. As much as I wanted to give h

  Chris' POV   It was two days after Ivy had gotten the responsibility to handle the preparations for the Imperial Ball and I was making my way towards the meeting room for our everyday run through of things. I was glad that she'd made some friends here in the form of the mates of the council members and someone to talk to. Besides, they were also helping her plan the Ball which was in turn keeping her busy rather than sitting around all day in our room.   It was the perfect task for her, overseeing preparations for the Imperial Ball. It wasn't dangerous at all, kept her from going stir crazy sitting idly in her room, and gave her the power and responsibilities befitting of a Luna. It was an all around win win situation.   Of course, I'd instructed Martha to keep an eye on the preparations. It wasn't that I didn't trust Ivy to do it properly, I was sure she'd ace it but I didn't want to risk it. I didn'

 Chris' POV After lunch, I made my way towards the dungeons in the basement, leaving Ivy to go continue her preparations for the Imperial Ball. I hadn't particularly wanted to force Ivy for the Luna ceremony, but it was essential. The pack needed to officially meet their Luna and the sooner it was done, the better. I could've delayed it if she'd been a normal werewolf, but she wasn't. She was a hybrid and from what I'd heard so far through my sources, the pack members were vary, unsure and apprehensive about her. They didn't know what to make of the introduction of a hybrid to the pack. I figured once she was formally introduced to the pack as their Luna, their apprehensions would die down. Fred mind linking me pulled me out of my thoughts. 'The table is set, Alpha. We're waiting for you.' 'I'm on my way,' I told him before cutting off the link. Fred had found and brought the two werewol